Ranking the Best Rental Players Available Ahead of the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline
With the NHL's Feb. 29 trade deadline only days away, there's growing speculation over which players could be on the move. The deadline is usually a time when potential unrestricted free agents, such as Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal (pictured above), are traded to rival teams as playoff rentals.
This year's crop of possible rentals includes several players who could potentially boost a club's chances of a lengthy playoff run. There's notable stars like Staal, younger skill forwards like Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker and quality defensemen like Kris Russell of the Calgary Flames.
The following slideshow ranks the best rental players available ahead of the 2016 NHL trade deadline. All are slated for unrestricted free agency in July. Performance, playoff experience, current contract, trade value and possible trade partners factored into this ranking. As always, you can weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
10. Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Performance in 2015-16: After 58 games, Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau has 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points. The 32-year-old is on track for over 20 goals and 40 points this season.
Contract: Parenteau is completing a one-year deal at a bargain salary-cap hit of $1.5 million. He lacks a no-trade clause.
Trade value: For playoff clubs with limited cap space seeking an affordable second-line winger, Parenteau could be your man. He lacks playoff experience (15 games), which could affect his value.
Possible asking price: The rebuilding Leafs are staging a trade-deadline fire sale of their best free-agent players. They could ask for a second-round draft pick but might settle for a third-rounder.
Potential destinations: The Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild could consider Parenteau among their trade options. On Feb. 20, the New York Post's Larry Brooks suggested the New Jersey Devils offer up defenseman Eric Gelinas for the Leafs winger.
9. Kris Versteeg, Carolina Hurricanes
2 of 10
Performance in 2015-16: After 60 games, Carolina Hurricanes right wing Kris Versteeg has 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points. The 29-year-old is on pace for a 45-point performance.
Contract: Versteeg has a salary-cap hit of $4.4 million but $2.2. million is carried by the Florida Panthers in retained salary. That could make him more enticing in the trade market. He lacks a no-trade clause.
Trade value: Versteeg should attract interest from teams seeking an affordable second-line winger with playoff experience. He won two Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 and 2015. However, he wasn't much of a factor in last year's postseason.
Possible asking price: The Hurricanes are still rebuilding their roster. They could seek a second-round draft pick or a prospect for Versteeg.
Potential destinations: On Feb. 19, SI.com's Allan Muir suggested Versteeg as a cheap option for the Chicago Blackhawks. The Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils could also have an interest in him.
8. James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Performance in 2015-16: After 32 games, Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer has a record of 11 wins, 12 losses and seven overtime losses. The 27-year-old has a 2.49 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
Contract: Reimer is under a one-year contract with a salary-cap hit of $2.3 million. He lacks a no-trade clause.
Trade value: Teams in need of goaltending depth for the postseason could look into Reimer's availability. He would make a worthwhile insurance netminder to replace a struggling or injured starting goalie. However, Reimer also has limited playoff experience.
Possible asking price: Earlier this season, Reimer's goaltending stats were among the league leaders. An injury followed by a rough patch in February adversely affected his numbers. While the Leafs could seek a second-round pick, they might have to settle for a third.
Potential destinations: With Brian Elliott on injured reserve for the next four weeks, the St. Louis Blues could be a landing spot for Reimer. The San Jose Sharks could look at him as a replacement for struggling backup Alex Stalock.
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7. Kris Russell, Calgary Flames
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Performance in 2015-16: After 51 games, Calgary Flames defenseman Kris Russell has four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. He leads the Flames in blocked shots and is second in the league in that category. His 22:52 average time on ice ranks third on the Flames.
Contract: Russell, 28, has a very affordable salary-cap hit of $2.6 million and lacks a no-trade clause.
Trade value: Playoff clubs seeking a cost-effective shot-blocking specialist will have serious interest in Russell. He's a good skater and has sufficient offensive skills to chip in on the power play. Russell has limited postseason experience but logged big minutes for the Flames in the 2015 playoffs.
Possible asking price: The Flames could hang onto Russell until deadline day in hopes of pushing up his trade value among clubs in need of blue-line help. Ultimately, he should fetch a second-round draft pick and perhaps a prospect.
Potential destinations: On Feb. 22, the Toronto Star's Kevin McGran suggested the New York Islanders could be a match. The Colorado Avalanche could be another. With Ben Lovejoy sidelined, the Pittsburgh Penguins could also look into Russell's availability.
6. Dan Hamhuis, Vancouver Canucks
5 of 10
Performance in 2015-16: After 35 games, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis has no goals and five assists for five points. Injuries sidelined the 33-year-old blueliner for 24 games this season.
Contract: Hamhuis has a $4.5 million annual salary-cap hit. He also carries a full no-movement clause, giving him control over where he can be dealt.
Trade value: Despite his age and injuries, Hamhuis remains a respected veteran defenseman. He plays a strong shutdown role, can log big minutes and has plenty of playoff experience.
Possible asking price: The Canucks are transitioning out veteran players in favor of younger talent. Hamhuis could land them a blue-line prospect or a low first-round draft pick.
Potential destinations: The Dallas Stars could use an experienced defensive blueliner like Hamhuis. The Colorado Avalanche are another trade possibility.
5. Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames
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Performance in 2015-16: After 52 games, Calgary Flames center Jiri Hudler has nine goals and 25 assists for 34 points. The 32-year-old could reach 50 points this season, though that's well below last season's 76-point effort.
Contract: Hudler is earning a reasonable salary-cap hit of $4 million. He lacks a no-trade clause.
Trade value: Despite his offensive struggles this season, Hudler could be an effective top-six winger for a playoff contender. He has plenty of postseason experience, including a Stanley Cup title in 2008 with the Detroit Red Wings. Hudler is a disciplined forward who can play center or on the wing.
Possible asking price: Given Hudler's numbers this season, the Flames won't get a first-round pick. A second-rounder and maybe a prospect appears to be a more likely return.
Potential destinations: Teams in the market for affordable offense could inquire about Hudler. The Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers might be interested in him.
4. Mikkel Boedker, Arizona Coyotes
7 of 10
Performance in 2015-16: In 60 games, Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker has 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points. The 26-year-old is on pace to reach 50 points for the second time in his career. He's also among the Coyotes' leading scorers.
Contract: Boedker carries an affordable $3.75 million salary-cap hit and lacks a no-trade clause. For clubs with limited cap space, he could prove a tempting target.
Trade value: With his speed and playmaking skills, Boedker should make a fine addition to the first or second line of a contending team. He can also play either wing and has good two-way skills. However, Boedker has limited postseason experience, with nine points in 20 playoff games.
Possible asking price: The Coyotes are building up their roster with promising young talent. They could seek a first-round pick or a good young roster player.
Potential destinations: The Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks could be pursuing Boedker. On Feb. 22, the Toronto Star's Kevin McGran suggested the Tampa Bay Lightning as a possibility, with Jonathan Drouin going to the Coyotes. He also proposed dealing Boedker to the Dallas Stars for right wing Valeri Nichushkin.
3. Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
8 of 10
Performance in 2015-16: In 61 games, Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal has 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points. He's on pace for a 45-point season, the lowest in his NHL career since his 31-point NHL debut in 2003-04.
Contract: Staal, 31, has an $8.25 million salary-cap hit with a no-trade clause, but he could waive it to go to a contender. The Hurricanes might have to pick up part of what remains of his cap hit to make him more enticing on the trade market. They could also agree to take back a player with a short-term contract.
Trade value: Staal knows what it takes to win a Stanley Cup, having done so with the Hurricanes in 2006. Though no longer a reliable first-line player, he could be productive as a second-line center or left wing. His numbers might improve on a deeper roster.
Possible asking price: The Hurricanes are in the midst of rebuilding their roster. They could seek a first-round draft pick plus a prospect or young roster player.
Potential destinations: On Feb. 17, the New York Post's Larry Brooks suggested Staal would be a good fit with the New York Rangers. On Feb. 22, the Toronto Star's Kevin McGran listed the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild as possibilities. The Florida Panthers could also inquire about him.
2. Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins
9 of 10
Performance in 2015-16: After 61 games, Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson has 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points. He's on pace for a 65-point performance. The 30-year-old is among the Bruins' leading scorers and one of their top two-way forwards.
Contract: Eriksson carries a reasonable $4.25 million salary-cap hit. However, he also has a modified no-trade clause.
Trade value: With his two-way skills, Eriksson would be a terrific top-six winger for any playoff-bound club. He was hampered by a concussion two years ago but has rebounded well and remains in good health. However, he has limited playoff experience, with only 14 points in 34 postseason contests.
Possible asking price: The Bruins won't just give him away. They could package Eriksson with either a prospect or one of their two first-round draft picks in hopes of landing a young top-four defenseman as part of the return.
Potential destinations: The Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild are deep in defensemen and need scoring depth. The Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings could also use a winger, though both clubs lack depth in available blueliners.
1. Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets
10 of 10
Performance in 2015-16: In 59 games, Winnipeg Jets left wing Andrew Ladd has 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points. After struggling earlier this season, the 30-year-old Jets captain has improved in recent weeks. He could reach 50 points.
Contract: Ladd has a reasonable $4.5 million salary-cap hit. He also has a modified no-trade clause.
Trade value: Ladd would be a solid addition to a playoff club as a first- or second-line left wing. He's a tough, physical scoring forward with leadership skills and championship experience, winning Stanley Cup titles with the Carolina Hurricanes (2006) and Chicago Blackhawks (2010).
Possible asking price: The Jets are giving up a core asset and will want a good return for their captain. They could seek a first-round draft pick and either a prospect or a good young roster player.
Potential destinations: Ladd could be the most pursued player in the trade market leading up to the deadline. On Feb. 23, ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reported the Blackhawks and Florida Panthers were interested. The Anaheim Ducks could also be among Ladd's suitors.
**UPDATE** Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports the Winnipeg Jets traded Ladd and minor league defenseman Jay Harrison and forward Matt Fraser to the the Chicago Blackhawks for right wing Marko Dano, a first-round pick plus a conditional pick in 2018.
Player stats (as of Feb.24) via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.
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